IATA dismayed at EU response to volcano airspace closures

INTERNATIONAL Air Transport Association (IATA) chief Giovanni Bisignani has lashed out against European government officials, who he says have demonstrated poor leadership in the Icelandic volcano crisis that continues to cost airlines US$200 million a day in terms of lost revenue.

Mr Bisignani said he was surprised to learn it took up to five days for ministers to set up a teleconference call.

He said he was dismayed that decisions to close airspace based on theoretical modelling, rather than the actual facts.

Airlines, rather than governments, he said led the way in resolving the issue through test flights, reported the newsletter of the British International Freight Association.

Mr Bisignani called on Eurocontrol to create a volcano contingency centre to provide a coordinated response to the issue, and has also recommended an emergency meeting of the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation.

(Source: www.schednet.com)